Police Searches
What to do if you are raided
Gamekeepers can sometimes find themselves the subject of unexpected raids and searches by the police.
The NGO has produced an advice booklet on what the law allows them to do and how to react. This advice was first produced by the NGO in 2002 and it has been updated since but we cannot accept any liability arising from its use. There have been some minor changes in the law since its publication but the basic advice to stay calm and co-operate remains sound.
Click the 'Police Searches' link at the bottom of this page to view the document or to print out a copy for retention in case of need. Please note the following addition should be made to page 2, column 3, last paragraph: "Anyone authorised, on a search warrant, to accompany a constable executing that warrant has the same powers as the constable in relation to executing the warrant and the seizure of anything to which the warrant relates, but that he may only exercise these powers under the supervision of the constable himself"
The latest legal position on raids and searches is summarised in a Home Office document called Code B, valid from 31 December 2005. This was issued under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and the police must follow it when applying for and executing a search warrant. You can view Code B by clicking here.
Associated files: